A closer look at plans for Olympic Village’s newest park

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Nate is back in today’s newsletter covering a few stories from city hall. We’re trying out a tweak to the format of our story today, I’m interested to hear if people like it or not. This isn’t permanent, but rather us experimenting!

And then stay tuned as we’ve got a big Insider story dropping this weekend on a certain arts event.

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WEATHER

Friday: 12 🌡️ 9 | 🌧️

Saturday: 11 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

Sunday: 11 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

Monday: 10 🌡️ 8 | 🌧️

CIVIC UPDATE

A closer look at plans for Olympic Village’s newest park

Story written by Nate Lewis.

A concept plan for a new park at the eastern end of False Creek was unanimously approved by the park board this week. Phase 1 of the project – provisionally called East Park – is a 1.2 hectare torch-shaped space in Olympic Village, spanning from 1st Avenue to the seawall (the Seaside Greenway if you want to be technical about it), and running along the northern terminus of Ontario Street. 

Most readers have likely walked or rolled through this area, as it’s a key connection point between the Brewery Creek industrial area, Mount Pleasant, Fairview, Yaletown, downtown, and the east side. The biking and walking pathway that connects the much-ridden Ontario bikeway to the seawall is usually bustling with people. However, it’s a place that most people move through, rather than go to or choose to stop and spend time in. In part, that’s because it’s become a bit of a wind tunnel in recent years, bordered by mid-rise apartment buildings on two sides.

The space currently features a bioswale (a ditch with plants to absorb and filter rainwater), a small on-leash dog field, fenced-off pollinator meadow, and a fenced public parking lot. For years now, these surroundings have contributed to a disjointed, unfinished feel that makes the area a less than attractive space to congregate or relax, despite its central location and high usage. All these factors make it a prime candidate for a redesign to better utilize the space. 

Going from south to north, the new park’s design brings people into a wooded area. It’s intended to provide a “tranquil retreat,” with seating areas and a “biodiverse songbird tree grove,” which was highly favoured in early community feedback sessions, according to a staff report. Overall, over 100 new trees would be planted throughout the park. 

The largest feature by area is an irrigated central lawn space, meant for gatherings and small-scale community events. The northern edge of the lawn would be separated from seaside walking and cycling paths by a curving wall featuring a range of seating options. Finally, a “flexible active zone” would be added in the plaza beside the Creekside Community Centre, where the community garden is currently located. That garden would be relocated according to staff, but a replacement space was not allotted in this particular plan. 

The transportation connections are a key feature of the plan, with a new separated greenway running parallel to Ontario Street and the bioswale, some of which will be covered over to accommodate the bike lane. Citing frequent conflicts and close calls between cyclists, micromobility users, and pedestrians at the current high volume intersection of the Ontario bikeway and seawall, park board commissioners emphasized the need for improved lines of sight at the new intersection. 

Paul Storer, the City of Vancouver’s director of transportation, said the traffic pattern for one block of Ontario St. – between 1st Ave. and Walter Hardwick Ave. – would be shifted to one-way southbound to accommodate the new park space and greenway. Park board and city staff had considered a full repurposing of the Ontario St. road space one block further north – between Hardwick Ave. and Athletes Way – but abandoned those ideas “in response to community feedback, in particular accessibility concerns from adjacent residents,” according to their report. 

While the wheels are in motion to give this area a much-needed makeover, the timeline to begin construction is still two years away. The park board will have one more vote to approve the contract award, meaning – if all goes according to plan – work on the new park would begin in fall or early winter of 2026, and be completed approximately two years later.

Funding for phase 1 of East Park is included in the city’s 2023-2026 Capital Plan. However, the $16.3 million budget for the new park was reduced to $12.3 million by city council as part of their mid-term capital plan update in July 2024. Funding requirements for the park were reduced due to a “refined” phase 1 area, according to a report by city staff at the time.   

Park board commissioner Brennan Bastyovanszky told Vancity Lookout the city reduced the East Park budget and park board staff then had to adapt their plans. Some of that money could have been put toward a bathroom facility on site, Bastyovanszky said, but it was decided the bathroom facilities at the nearby community centre and Science World were sufficient. However, Science World staff (and several prominent signs) confirmed there are no public bathrooms at that location.

Succession planning at city council for MLA-elect Christine Boyle

In last month’s provincial election, current OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly, representing Vancouver’s Little Mountain riding.  

In a statement, Boyle said she intends to formally resign from city council in December. On Tuesday, city council convened a special meeting to approve Boyle’s month-long unpaid leave of absence in advance of her resignation. 

“This timeline was requested by city staff, as it will allow staff the time needed to run a by-election, and ensure that it doesn’t conflict with the busy city budget and holiday season,” Boyle wrote. 

City manager Paul Mochrie provided some more context for that request at Tuesday’s meeting, explaining, after receiving a councillor’s resignation, the Vancouver Charter requires council to appoint a chief election officer at “the earliest practical opportunity.” The city then has 80 days following that appointment to conduct a by-election. 

By having Boyle formally resign in December, “that would put [the city] into an election in the spring, which is much more manageable, and I think [city staff will] be in a much better position to actually deliver an accessible election on that timeline,” Mochrie said. 

Depending on the date in December when Boyle resigns, a by-election would need to take place sometime between early January and March 21st. The city is expecting the by-election to cost about $2 million. For the sake of comparison, the most recent Vancouver by-election – won by Hector Bremner in 2017 – cost just over $1.5 million, according to the city.  

When ABC Coun. Lenny Zhou inquired if the seat could be left empty, Mochrie said that while there are provisions in the Vancouver Charter to not hold a by-election if a councillor resigns in the final year of their term, council is otherwise required to hold an election. 

The big question now is who will replace Boyle, and what will by-election results say about public attitudes towards the governing ABC party? We’ll be following this as things progress in the new year.

We’re experimenting with shorter stories like this in the newsletter on Fridays. We want to know what you think of this format.

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VANCOUVER NUMBERS

👮 700: The number of extra police that will be on hand from Dec. 6-8 in Vancouver. Not for a protest, but for the Taylor Swift concerts. [Vancouver Sun]

📈 67%: The increase in hate crimes targeting Indigenous people in Vancouver from December 2022 to 2023. [CTV]

$17 billion: That's the cost that a large earthquake could inflict on Vancouver, after a report from council looked at just how costly a magnitude 7.2 earthquake would be. [Global]

THE AGENDA

❌ Heads up – until Dec. 2024, Robson Street is closed for cars eastbound between Jervis and Thurlow as the Bute-Robson Plaza continues to be built.

🏊 Some good news for next summer is that the fixes to Kitsilano Pool, while temporary, may allow it to re-open in the years ahead. The cost was $4 million, but the pool is still at the end of its lifespan, and the city still needs to make plans to replace it. [Urbanized]

🚨 Gourmet Warehouse in East Vancouver is raising concerns about crime targeted at small businesses. The company said they had to hire full-time security after people were walking out with thousands of dollars of goods. [Global]

📉 It's been a tough time to be a developer lately. Many housing developments are needing to be financially restructured in the challenging economic environment from things like rising construction costs and higher interest rates. Insolvencies are also becoming more common. [Business in Vancouver]

🔥 A property plagued by fires and neglect, and is now an empty lot, is being listed for $20 million, after being assessed at a value of $8 million. The property sits in a prime spot for the Broadway Plan, which will intensify development in the area. The owners had to pay small fines after each fire. [Vancouver Sun]

🚰 Stanley Park is set to see more construction as Metro Vancouver builds out a new Stanley Park Water Supply Tunnel, a system that provides drinking water to Metro Vancouver. The current tunnel was built in the 1930s and is dealing with ongoing leaks. The budget for the project is estimated to be between $395 million to $495 million as construction timelines and costs have grown. [Urbanized]

🚲 This will be popular news for my triathlete brother – the park board approved a T100 Vancouver Multisport Festival from Jun. 13 to 15 next year. It’s expected that 12,000 people will participate, with the event locations at Jericho and Locarno Beach and the nearby areas. [Urbanized]

📅 If you are a former student of Vancouver College, from 1976-2013, or St. Thomas More Collegiate from 1976-1989, you have until Nov. 28 to opt out of a class action lawsuit against the schools for physical, psychological or sexual abuse. 

Outside Vancouver

💸 Trump’s victory is jolting local business organizations in Metro Vancouver who worry about the minimum 10 per cent tariff Trump has promised to implement on Canadian goods. This could mean $30 billion in economic costs to Canada, and hurt any business that export to the US. [CTV]

🗳️ Premier David Eby’s new cabinet will be sworn in on Nov. 18, pending any changes from recounts. Experts expect Ravi Kahlon to hold onto his position as housing minister. One challenge? The party only elected five members outside Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island. [Vancouver Sun]

🏢 New renters may be getting some reprieve in Burnaby. While it’s still the second most expensive city to rent in, the price for a one-bedroom has fallen 9.4 per cent since October last year, and 3.8 per cent in September, for a monthly price of $2,398. [Urbanized]

❓ Should a private dock be built on public land? The District of West Vancouver is considering using public land to build a boat dock for 21 residents who live on Pasco Road, a remote part of the city surrounded by cliffs. [CTV]

EVENT GUIDE

Lumière Festival 2024 | Various venues | Now until Nov. 10 | Extraordinary installations and performances from artists, transforming downtown in a playground of art | Free

:UNCONQUERED - The Veterans Artist Collective at The Galley George on 140 W Hastings St. from 5-12 Nov 2024, Remembrance Day from 9AM to 4PM [Sponsored]

Vancouver Remembrance Day Ceremony and Parade | Cenotaph at Victory Square | Nov. 11, 10 am | Traditional Remembrance Day ceremony, including change of the guard, wreath laying and veterans parade | Learn more

Architecture and Design Film Festival | Multiple locations | Now until Nov. 10 | See films that explore architecture, design and the people behind it all | Tickets

Circle Craft Holiday Market | Vancouver Convention Centre | Nov. 6-10 | Over 300 artisan showcase their wares for you to buy, the perfect Christmas gift opportunity | Tickets $12

Transform Festival | Vancouver Playhouse | Nov. 6-9 | The Cultch presents the electrifying performances from local community artists | Tickets 

Vancouver Asian Film Festival | Multiple locations | Nov. 7-14 Showcasing 100 films from Asian creators | Tickets $15

Public Disco After Dark | The Birdhouse | Nov. 9, 9:30 pm-2:30 am | All-female DJ lineup, with house and groovy techno music | Tickets $20

Eastside Culture Crawl | Nov. 14-17 | All around Strathcona | Four days of artists showcasing their work and opening up their studios, a fun event for everyone | Learn more

Hibernation Harvest Dinner | Locando dell’Orso | Nov. 18, multiple times remaining | A five-course Italian family-style dinner capturing the essence of autumn | Tickets $139

PHOTO OF THE DAY

This is an aerial shot of the Granville Bridge back in 1954. The whole area looks a little different eh?

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• The beach logs have made their annual migration to warmer climates… And by warmer climate, we mean in a pile on the beach. 

• Discover Vancouver’s tastiest plant-based restaurants and score HUGE deals with this new, local, 100% Plant-Based Deals Web App! [Sponsored]

• How close is the 99 UBC B Line? Well, this GPS tracking video shows it’s faster to bike along the route. [Reddit]

• Lucky Vancouver, the city is about to get the largest drone light show in the country alongside the Grey Cup festival. [Vancouver is Awesome]

• Registration for the Stanley Park Bright Night Train rides opens today at 11:30 am. 

• The city wants to hear from you about your emergency preparedness plan to help shape their overall strategy.